2006 Buildings Census: Building Ownership/Development Firms

Follow our list of many of the leading industry players, with information specific to their operations, real estate holdings, and services. For ease of use, the Buildings Census is divided into five general categories: Building Ownership and Development (firms that develop, own, and/or manage properties); Building Management (third-party management firms that handle real estate properties for others); Corporate Real Estate (facilities departments within major corporations that handle the company’s real estate activities); Institutional Owners (facilities/physical plant departments responsible for the real estate needs of major healthcare and educational organizations); and Government Agencies (facilities/physical plant/support services departments responsible for the real estate needs of federal government-related agencies).

While every attempt has been made to make The A List and the Buildings Census as complete and correct as possible, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this online information.

**NOTE: Numbers in parentheses refer to square feet in millions. The asterisk indicates that information was provided directly to Buildings magazine.

ProLogis has become a leading global provider of distribution facilities with properties owned, managed, and under development in North America, Europe, and Asia. 2,300 Industrial Buildings*: 388 million square feet (existing and under construction). Dollar Volume of Spending in 2006 Devoted/Estimated Toward Facilities*: $2.2 billion. Number of Professionals Involved Full Time in Facilities*: 750-1,000. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed in 2006)*: New Construction, 24.9 million square feet.

Simon Property Group is the largest publicly traded retail real estate company in North America. The Indianapolis-based real estate investment trust’s portfolio consists of mostly regional malls, Premium Outlet centers, and community/life-style centers. In addition to its U.S. properties, the company holds interests in 52 European shopping centers in France, Italy, and Poland; 5 Premium Outlet centers in Japan; and one Premium Outlet center in Mexico. 285 Shopping Centers: 200 million square feet.

After more than 50 years in the shopping-center business, General Growth Properties has grown to be the second-largest retail real estate investment trust. The company owns, develops, operates, and/or manages shopping malls in 44 states, as well as master-planned communities in three states. 200 Shopping Centers: 200 million square feet.

With a portfolio of nearly 1,370 multi-family communities, including both conventional and affordable communities, Apartment Investment & Management Co. (AIMCO) is the nation’s largest owner and operator of apartments. AIMCO is a real estate investment trust (REIT) with assets totaling approximately $11 billion, and more than $13 billion in assets under management. 250,000 Multi-Family Housing Units: 192 million square feet (based on Buildings’ estimates of 800 square feet/unit).

Equity Residential is the largest publicly traded owner, operator, and developer of multi-family housing in the United States. The company owns more than 900 apartment communities comprising garden units, high-rises, ranch-style properties, and military housing. 926 Multi-Family Housing Buildings (197,404 units): 58 million square feet (based on Buildings’ estimates of 800 square feet/unit).

As a leading global developer and owner of industrial real estate, AMB Property Corp. has built a portfolio of distribution facilities located near airports, seaports, and ground transportation systems. 1,094 Industrial Buildings*: 121.6 million square feet. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed Beyond 2006)*: New Construction, 5.8 million square feet; Modernization, 8.5 million square feet.

Since its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in July 1997, Equity Office has nearly quadrupled in size. Today, the company is the largest office-building owner and manager, as well as the largest real estate investment trust, in the United States. 595 Office Buildings*: 109.4 million square feet. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed in 2006)*: New Construction, $56.9 million. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed Beyond 2006)*: New Construction, $1.2 billion. Number of Professionals Involved Full Time in Facilities*: 2,300.

The Westfield Group specializes in shopping-center ownership, development, design, construction, funds/asset management, property management, leasing, and marketing. Its centers are located in four countries - Australia, the United States, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The total value of the portfolio is more than $38.2 billion. 120 Shopping Centers: 107.6 million square feet.

As the leading global hospitality company, Hilton Hotels Corp. provides guests with the opportunity to stay in one of its 2,300 hotels. The brands in its portfolio - Doubletree, Embassy Suites, and Hampton Inn, to name just a few - service the mid-market, extended-stay, and upscale segments. Hotel/Motel Buildings (350,000 units): 105 million square feet (based on Buildings’ estimates of 300 square feet/unit).

Companies have been using Hines as a benchmark for nearly 50 years. The privately owned, international real estate firm is an experienced developer of more than 205 million square feet and an award-winning property manager. 214 Office Buildings*: 91.9 million square feet. 6 Shopping Centers*: 1.7 million square feet. 4 Multi-Family Buildings*: 1 million square feet. 8 Government Buildings*: 3.6 million square feet. 9 Other Commercial Buildings*: 4.3 million square feet. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed in 2006)*: New Construction, 727,000 square feet; Modernization, 531,325 square feet. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed Beyond 2006)*: New Construction, 36.7 million square feet. Number of Professionals Involved Full Time in Facilities*: 3,000.

In its May 2006 issue, Chain Store Age magazine named The Inland Real Estate Group of Cos. Inc. the fastest-growing acquirer of retail property in the United States. Collectively, the companies that make up The Inland Real Estate Group of Cos. have more than 100 million square feet in various portfolios, a value of $13 billion. Inland is currently the United States’ fifth-largest shopping center owner.

The Macerich Co. is the largest owner/operator of regional malls in the Western United States. The company’s portfolio of properties has occupancy levels of 93.5 percent and tenant sales of $416 per square foot. 76 Shopping Centers: 80 million square feet.

In late June, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties announced Bentall Capital as the winner of its prestigious Developer of the Year in North America award. The Canadian real estate advisory and service organization employs more than 1,200 professionals and acts as the fiduciary for real estate valued at $12 billion. Office Buildings: 31 million square feet. Retail Buildings: 12 million square feet. Multi-Family Housing Buildings: 5.5 million square feet. Industrial Buildings: 26 million square feet.

CBL & Associates Properties Inc. is the fourth largest mall real estate investment trust (REIT) in the country. New regional malls, open-air centers, as well as life-style and community centers, are among the company’s portfolio of nearly 75 million square feet. Of all the tenants in CBL’s properties, the largest are The Limited, The Gap, and Foot Locker. 127 Shopping Malls: 74.7 million square feet.

Archstone-Smith is an S&P 500 company and a leader in apartment investment and operations. The company’s portfolio consists of properties located in some of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area; Southern California; the San Francisco Bay area; Boston; Southeast Florida; Chicago; and Seattle. 254 Multi-Family Housing Communities (86,513 units): 69.2 million square feet (based on Buildings’ estimates of 800 square feet/unit).

New Plan’s portfolio includes more than 475 properties in 39 states. The company focuses on the ownership, management, and development of community and neighborhood shopping centers and is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Kroger Co., Wal-Mart Stores, and Sears Holding Corp. are the company’s top three tenants. 458 Shopping Centers: 66.7 million square feet. 19 Other Commercial Buildings: 1.1 million square feet.

Offering investment, development, marketing, leasing, asset management, construction, property and facility management, corporate advisory services, financing, and asset disposition, The Gale Real Estate Services Co. is headquartered in New Jersey but has offices throughout the United States and abroad. The company employs more than 500 professionals; its portfolio exceeds 60 million square feet of commercial space.

Totaling approximately 58 million square feet, the Vornado Realty Trust portfolio of owned and managed properties is spread across four business platforms: New York Office; Washington, D.C., Office (Charles E. Smith Commercial Realty); Retail; and Merchandise Mart. It includes retail, office, hospitality, showroom, and multi-family assets.

As one of the nation’s top developers of industrial property, Industrial Developments Intl. Inc. (referred to as IDI) has grown from assets of $89 million to more than $492 million in wholly owned assets (and another $948 million in joint-venture assets) since 1989. During its history, the company has developed 108 million square feet of institutional-quality industrial projects. Industrial Buildings: 55 million square feet.

The Mills Corp. is an owner, developer, and manager of regional shopping malls, retail and entertainment centers, and international recreation, leisure, and retail centers. 42 Retail Buildings: 51 million square feet.

Regency Centers is a national owner, operator, and developer focused on grocery-anchored, neighborhood, and community retail centers. 393 Retail Buildings: 50.8 million square feet. In the last 6 years, the company has developed 147 shopping centers, including projects currently under way - at an investment of $2 billion.

Brookfield Properties’ portfolio is made up of office properties - many of which define the skylines in major cities, including New York City; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Toronto; and Calgary, AB. The company owns more than 50 million square feet of commercial property throughout the United States and Canada.

Starwood is one of the largest hotel and leisure companies and has a portfolio of properties that includes brands such as W Hotels, Westin Hotels & Resorts, and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. 502 Hotel/Motel Buildings (165,860 units)*: 49.8 million square feet (based on Buildings’ estimates of 300 square feet/unit).

Specializing in the development, management, and acquisition of properties in the southern portion of the United States, Weingarten Realty Investors has built a portfolio of real estate totaling more than 48.7 million square feet. 296 Shopping Centers: 37.1 million square feet. 64 Industrial Projects: 11.7 million square feet. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed Beyond 2006): 9 New Construction retail projects, 851,000 square feet (a $114-million investment). Also under development is a 224-unit apartment complex.

Legacy Partners has been developing and acquiring residential and commercial real estate for more than 35 years. Today, the company’s portfolio is valued in excess of $4 billion. Since 1972, the company has acquired, developed, or managed 108 million square feet of commercial real estate in the Western United States. 27,000 Multi-Family Housing Units: 21.6 million square feet (based on Buildings’ estimates of 800 square feet/unit). Other Commercial Buildings: 25 million square feet. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed in 2006): 1,500 apartment units (an estimated 1.2 million square feet).

For nearly 30 years, Tishman Speyer has built, developed, and acquired office buildings. The company’s portfolio includes signature properties such as New York City’s Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Center, Berlin’s Sony Center, and Torre Norte in Sao Paolo, Brazil. 78 Office Buildings*: 45.2 million square feet. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed Beyond 2006)*: 15 New Construction projects, 10.5 million square feet. Number of Professionals Involved Full Time in Facilities*: 164.

The Trizec Properties portfolio is comprised of office facilities concentrated in seven U.S. markets: Atlanta; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles; New York City; and Washington, D.C. The company was launched as a publicly traded U.S. office real estate investment trust in May 2002 as part of the reorganization of Canadian-based TrizecHahn Corp. 61 Office Buildings: 40 million square feet.

Accor North America provides economical, overnight accommodations for travelers with hotel brands such as Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn. Sofitel and Novotel brands are other brands in the company’s portfolio of U.S., Canadian, and Mexican properties. 1,200 Hotel/Motel Buildings (130,000 units): 39 million square feet (according to Buildings’ estimates of 300 square feet/unit). Accor North America is a division of Accor, a European company with nearly 4,000 hotels in 92 countries.

Hartz Mountain Industries Inc. has a concentrated portfolio of properties in the New York/New Jersey area. From the company’s early beginnings in 1966, it has grown to a regional real estate enterprise. With more than 200 retail, hotel, office, and industrial buildings, the portfolio totals 38 million square feet. Additionally, Hartz Mountain has more than 200 undeveloped acres of prime land in Northern New Jersey.

CenterPoint Properties Trust has focused its attention on the ownership, development, and management of industrial real estate in the greater Chicago area. The company is a self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) with properties near rail, road, and port infrastructure. 215 Industrial Buildings: 37 million square feet.

Cafaro is an owner and operator of small-town malls and shopping centers. For more than 60 years, the company has tried to set itself apart from its competitors with dynamic anchor tenants, good merchant variety, enhanced outparcels, specialty leasing opportunities, and sales-driven marketing programs. 80 Retail Buildings: 34 million square feet.

The Lightstone Group has grown tremendously over its less-than-20-year history. Today, the company owns a portfolio of diversified properties in 25 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, totaling more than 29 million square feet in 194 properties. Office Buildings: 4.6 million square feet. Multi-Family Housing Buildings (12,000 units): 9.6 million square feet (according to Buildings’ estimates of 800 square feet/unit).

With shopping centers located in 30 states and anchors like Target, Barnes & Noble, and Kohl’s, Heritage Property Investment Trust has earned its place among the largest owners of community shopping centers in the country. 171 Shopping Centers: 28.7 million square feet.

Ivanhoe Cambridge has built a reputation as one of Canada’s leading property owners, managers, developers, and investors. Its focus on high-quality regional and super-regional shopping centers in urban areas has equaled solid financial results. According to information supplied last year, Ivanhoe Cambridge’s portfolio is 27 million square feet. 12 Office Buildings: 2 million square feet. 45 Shopping Centers: 25 million square feet. Number of Professionals Involved Full Time in Facilities: 200.

Benderson Development Co. has grown tremendously, doubling in size over the last 10 years. The privately owned development company is one of the largest retail strip-center developers nationwide. With ownership and management responsibilities for 250 properties in more than 35 states, the company’s portfolio totals 25 million square feet. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed Beyond 2006): New Construction, 4.5 million square feet.

Taubman Centers has a portfolio of regional and super-regional malls located throughout the United States. While the company is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, MI, it has offices in the San Francisco Bay area; Alexandria, VA; and New York City. The company has been a real estate investment trust since 1992. 22 Shopping Malls: 23.6 million square feet.

Through acquisition, redevelopment, and new construction, Ashley Capital has created a portfolio that delivers high-quality industrial and office space to some of the largest companies in the United States. 2 Office Buildings*: 575,000 square feet. 50 Industrial Buildings*: 21.2 million square feet. Dollar Volume of Spending in 2006 Devoted/Estimated Toward Facilities*: Capital, $10.5 million; Operational, $23 million. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed in 2006)*: New Construction, 1.8 million square feet; Modernization, 1.1 million square feet. Projects in New Construction and/or Modernization (Completed Beyond 2006)*: New Construction, 500,000 square feet; Modernization, 2.1 million square feet. Number of Professionals Involved Full Time in Facilities*: 42.

New Plan’s portfolio includes more than 475 properties in 39 states. The company focuses on the ownership, management, and development of community and neighborhood shopping centers and is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Kroger Co., Wal-Mart Stores, and Sears Holding Corp. are the company’s top three tenants. 458 Shopping Centers: 66.7 million square feet. 19 Other Commercial Buildings: 1.1 million square feet.

Active in development, investment, and management in the Southeastern United States, Childress Klein Properties has built a portfolio of over 20 million square feet. Office Buildings: 11.5 million square feet. Retail Buildings: 1.1 million square feet. Industrial Buildings: 7.6 million square feet.

Hamilton Partners is a privately owned real estate development and investment firm that owns more than 20 million square feet of office, industrial, and retail facilities. While the majority of Hamilton Partners’ assets are in the Metropolitan Chicago area, the company also owns several properties in Salt Lake City.

THF Realty is an owner/operator of neighborhood and community shopping centers. The largest concentration of properties in the company’s portfolio is in Missouri, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Shopping Centers: 20 million square feet.

As a full-service real estate company, Brandywine Realty Trust is engaged in ownership, management, leasing, acquisition, and development of commercial real estate in strategic markets across the United States. The company’s portfolio totals 19.6 million square feet and includes 227 office buildings, 23 industrial buildings, and one other commercial building.

The Alter Group strives to provide development services that optimize assets and manage risk. Office Buildings*: 12.6 million square feet. Healthcare Buildings*: 750,000 square feet. Industrial Buildings*: 5.7 million square feet. Projects in New Construction/Modernization (Completed in 2006)*: New Construction, 1.6 million square feet. Projects in New Construction/Modernization (Completed Beyond 2006)*: New Construction, 3.6 million square feet. Number of Professionals Involved Full Time in Facilities*: 160.

When California’s Silicon Valley was developing, so was Sobrato Development Cos. The company specializes in the development of facilities for high-tech and R&D companies, and believes that owning and managing Sobrato-developed properties results in strong tenant relationships and superior customer service. 35 Multi-Family Housing Buildings (7,500 units): 7 million square feet. 110 Commercial Buildings: 9.5 million square feet.

Colson & Colson develops high-quality retirement residences for Holiday Retirement Corp. (the No. 1 owner and manager of retirement homes in the United States and Canada). The company has interests in 20,000 units: 16 million square feet (according to Buildings’ estimates of 800 square feet/unit).

Active in the brokerage, management, and development of commercial real estate, Chicago-based HSA Commercial has handled more than 7,000 real estate transactions in 43 states and managed more than 30 million square feet of properties. Office, Industrial, Retail, and Healthcare Buildings: 15 million square feet.

The Blackstone Group is a U.S. private equity firm that recently made news when it bought CarrAmerica for more than $5 billion. The company’s real estate portfolio of owned properties tallies more than 13 million square feet and is concentrated in Boston, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

Watson Land Co. has made a name for itself as one of the premier developers of industrial centers. More than 1,000 acres have been developed for industrial property, office facilities, and multi-tenant business centers by the company during its 40-year history. Industrial Buildings: 12 million square feet.